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Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs will honor one of the Rock River Valley region’s greatest treasures when they play in the 11th Annual Jersey Auction game. The team will be wearing specially designed “Drum and Bugle Hammy” jerseys to recognize the Phantom Regiment, it was announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Hogs will take on the Chicago Wolves in the annual fundraising event at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The Phantom Regiment, an internationally respected and world champion drum and bugle corps headquartered in Rockford, was founded in 1956. The organization, which tours the United States almost four months out of the year, is known for its innovative and critically acclaimed programs.

The IceHogs will wear special white jerseys based on the Phantom Regiment’s uniform for the game. The concept and design of the logo and jersey were developed by the Rockford IceHogs’ Corporate Communications Executive Ben Boese with the assistance of the Phantom Regiment administration.

“I feel that once again the IceHogs organization has come up with a fantastic design for this year’s jersey auction,” said IceHogs President Mark Bernard. “We are very proud that we have been able to incorporate an outstanding organization like the Phantom Regiment into this year’s concept. I would like to especially thank Ben Boese for all of his hard work in designing the logo and seeing this through to fruition.”

Immediately following the game on March 27, the team will hold a live auction on the ice where fans can bid on the jerseys. All proceeds from the jersey auction go to the IceHogs Charitable Foundation. Some of the jersey auction beneficiaries include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rockford and Jr. IceHogs.

“Phantom Regiment is proud to be a part of the IceHogs’ annual jersey auction for charity night,” said Phantom Regiment Executive Director Rick Valenzuela. “We hope IceHogs and Regiment fans will support this great event and surpass the all-time high collected in 2008. The Regiment drum line is also looking forward to performing before the game and during the first intermission. We're excited to team up with the IceHogs organization to help raise money for the IceHogs foundation.”

Rockford has held the auction in each of the team’s ten previous seasons of professional hockey in the Forest City. Over the first ten auctions, the IceHogs have raised more than $549,738 with all the proceeds staying in the Rockford community.

To go along with the live jersey auction, the night will also feature several silent auction items and a raffle for a customize-your-own jersey auction jersey.

The first 2,500 fans to the game on March 27 will get an IceHogs Jersey Auction T-shirt featuring the Drum and Bugle Hammy logo, presented by Pepsi, Dental Dimensions, Phantom Regiment, WXRX and 23-WREX.

For tickets to the game call (815) 968-5222, visit metrocentre.com or stop by the MetroCentre Box Office. For questions regarding the IceHogs Annual Jersey Auction Night, call the IceHogs at (815) 986-6465.

ROCKFORD ICEHOGS JERSEY AUCTION FACTS AND FIGURES FOR 2010

This is the Rockford IceHogs’ 11th Annual Jersey Auction at the Rockford MetroCentre. The generosity of the IceHogs fans at the previous ten auctions has made the event one of the best in all of minor league professional sports.

The following are some facts and figures about the history of the jersey auction: